Sharks forward out until Group 2 semis

KEY Port Macquarie forward Ben Cudmore is out of football until August 13 after being outed by the Carlton Mid Group 2 judiciary.

Cudmore was charged with striking Orara Valley's Ryan Walker in the Sharks' 14-12 win over the Axemen on July 15 and pleaded guilty to the offence.

"Under the rules the penalty is six weeks and if he'd fought it and had still been found guilty his season would have been over," Group secretary Peter O'Grady said.

"He received dispensations for the guilty plea (one week) and previous good record (two weeks) so he'll be back for the semis."

Coach Tony Pascoe named Cudmore in the original squad to play Macksville tomorrow but his place in the second row is now likely to be taken by either Anthony Shipway or North Coast representative Bleu Tamatora.